The Punto is still by far the best looking supermini, certainly the only 1 I'd buy brand new, if I was to spend that much money. As for the engines, you don't need much power to have fun: my 2008 Grande Punto has the 77bhp 1.4 8v, and I don't find meself wanting more power. If only more people would buy brand new Puntos now, so it'll be easier for me to find a used 1 when the time eventually comes to part with my Eleganza, lol!!

JimbbobW1977 said:

I can also imagine your revelling in far superior handling to any Fiat, better build quality as well.

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Yeh its a completely different driving experience, it feels so much more than a fiesta. It feels exotic.

puntofan01 said:

The Punto is still by far the best looking supermini, certainly the only 1 I'd buy brand new, if I was to spend that much money. As for the engines, you don't need much power to have fun: my 2008 Grande Punto has the 77bhp 1.4 8v, and I don't find meself wanting more power. If only more people would buy brand new Puntos now, so it'll be easier for me to find a used 1 when the time eventually comes to part with my Eleganza, lol!!

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Sit in / drive one. Its the only way to explain it. I guarantee you'll want an ST. I only test drove one out of curiosity and as soon as i drove it I fell in love.

JPritchard said:

Yeh its a completely different driving experience, it feels so much more than a fiesta. It feels exotic.



Sit in / drive one. Its the only way to explain it. I guarantee you'll want an ST. I only test drove one out of curiosity and as soon as i drove it I fell in love.

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Nah, I would never, ever, ever want a fiesta. I read top gear magazine, and they always bleat on about how it's the best thing since sliced bread, but it doesn't appeal at all. About the same time I bought my Grande, my mates parents acquired a 2009 fiesta titanium, and with the 2 cars parked 1 behind the other, I just couldn't understand what all the fuss is about: every stylistic aspect of the Grande is better, inside and out. As for the superior driving experience, I have absolutely no complaints with the experience offered by my Grande, so even if a fiesta is a tad better to drive, it wouldn't be worth sacrificing all the Grandes' style for. I'd wanted a Grande Punto ever since I first saw the pictures of it in top gear magazine, and now I own 1, it really doesn't disappoint.

puntofan01 said:

Nah, I would never, ever, ever want a fiesta. I read top gear magazine, and they always bleat on about how it's the best thing since sliced bread, but it doesn't appeal at all. About the same time I bought my Grande, my mates parents acquired a 2009 fiesta titanium, and with the 2 cars parked 1 behind the other, I just couldn't understand what all the fuss is about: every stylistic aspect of the Grande is better, inside and out. As for the superior driving experience, I have absolutely no complaints with the experience offered by my Grande, so even if a fiesta is a tad better to drive, it wouldn't be worth sacrificing all the Grandes' style for. I'd wanted a Grande Punto ever since I first saw the pictures of it in top gear magazine, and now I own 1, it really doesn't disappoint.

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You can't compare a fiesta titanium to an ST. Its a completely different animal, Its one of those where you need to sit in to find out. ST looks stunning in real life, pictures do not do it justice

JPritchard said:

You can't compare a fiesta titanium to an ST. Its a completely different animal, Its one of those where you need to sit in to find out. ST looks stunning in real life, pictures do not do it justice

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I'm afraid I'm not really into hot hatches. I have seen sts around, and I still find meself drawn to Puntos. I can't be without that superb styling, lol!

I'm sorry but I have to massively disagree. Yes the Punto is a nice looking car, but nothing more. It's badly engineered and designed, not particularly good to drive.

If I was in the market for a new supermini it would have to be a Fiesta 1.0 Eco boost. The driving experience is a lot better in day to day use, the build and design is a lot better and it's also a nice looking car. The 1.4 8v Punto is very underpowered.

JimbbobW1977 said:

I'm sorry but I have to massively disagree. Yes the Punto is a nice looking car, but nothing more. It's badly engineered and designed, not particularly good to drive.

If I was in the market for a new supermini it would have to be a Fiesta 1.0 Eco boost. The driving experience is a lot better in day to day use, the build and design is a lot better and it's also a nice looking car. The 1.4 8v Punto is very underpowered.

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The only thing I agree with you is the engine range is not adequate, for people they want more than 77hp the only choice is TwinAir 105 (for petrol). But you can buy a Fiesta with 80hp or 100hp, but with 120 and 180hp, too. This is a correct range, and with a 3 cyl better than TwinAir.

Yet, Ford make low cost cars, with low quality for some parts, and cars that rust... so Punto vs Fiesta is a choice, and it depend your needs.
In the past, the Punto was better positioned with a good range of engines and choice.

JimbbobW1977 said:

I'm sorry but I have to massively disagree. Yes the Punto is a nice looking car, but nothing more. It's badly engineered and designed, not particularly good to drive.

If I was in the market for a new supermini it would have to be a Fiesta 1.0 Eco boost. The driving experience is a lot better in day to day use, the build and design is a lot better and it's also a nice looking car. The 1.4 8v Punto is very underpowered.

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I'm afraid I'm going to have to disagree with that. I have no issues with the engineering and design, I find it to be a great car to drive, and with regards to the 1.4 8v being underpowered, I'm sorry, but that is absolute rubbish. Its a very nippy car to drive, with excellent throttle response.

The fiesta is very much overrated, with naff, fussy exterior styling, and a cr*p dashboard design.

When reading magazines, it seems that it's absolutely fine if ford continues to build and sell a hopelessly outdated car with a rubbish engine, yet when Fiat keep the still excellent Punto in production, they get slagged off no end for it.

I ran a GP for 5 years - my first Fiat.

I have never experienced a car that had the amount of design flaws that the Punto has.

I have yet to see another engine bay with a design that let's water sit on top of the suspension strut bearings causing failure. Nor a design of the rear wash hose splitting and flooding the rear lights with water causing electrical failures. Nor the design of the body connection to the doors of the wiring loom causing the wires to split resulting in the windows and mirrors not working. Nor the electric wind mechanism snapping and failing. Nor a design that pours water onto the back of the alternator. Nor a design that fills the fuse box with water. Nor a design that rusts through the brake servo causing it to rust through the bulk head.

I was amazed at how many things went wrong with mine for what was a well maintained no expense spared car.

Wheel bearings, turbos, alternators, drop links, brake calipers, gear box bearings, heating looms.

The car had only done 58k miles and used mainly on the motorway.

Far to many faults on it to even recommend.

I knew that when I brought the car it wasn't the best supermini out in 2007 - it certainly is not competitive this many years down the line and can not even touch most modern competition which I have driven most of.

A lot of those things could've happened on any car, you were just unlucky with that particular example. With regards to the front end design, it's identical to the Corsa, (a friend of mine has a 2007 Corsa, and apart from the engine, you wouldn't know what car you were looking under the bonnet of) so that criticism must be aimed at GM, not just Fiat.

My honest opinion.

Back in 2006 the grande punto was stunning, absolutely stunning. Maserati styling which no manufacturer could match. However time has progressed and the punto seems to still be stationary in 2006.

All the models released prior to the grande have just been facelifts with a little tweak here and there.

It needs a new innovative supercar design and a complete restructure. Everything needs to be concentrated on. Chassis, Engines, Gearbox, Interior, Exterior and Technology. Having 'greenest manufacturer in Europe' does not get hearts racing.

Fiat are Italian, they should be showing that flair and passion in their cars but the current models now just look dreary and dated in comparison to rivals. Its such a shame.

JPritchard said:

My honest opinion.

Back in 2006 the grande punto was stunning, absolutely stunning. Maserati styling which no manufacturer could match. However time has progressed and the punto seems to still be stationary in 2006.

All the models released prior to the grande have just been facelifts with a little tweak here and there.

It needs a new innovative supercar design and a complete restructure. Everything needs to be concentrated on. Chassis, Engines, Gearbox, Interior, Exterior and Technology. Having 'greenest manufacturer in Europe' does not get hearts racing.

Fiat are Italian, they should be showing that flair and passion in their cars but the current models now just look dreary and dated in comparison to rivals. Its such a shame.

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Personally, I think the Punto and its sister car, the Corsa, are still the best looking superminis around. Whereas the newer cars in the class have weird, fussy, generally ugly styling, both the Corsa and the Punto, with their older, cleaner designs stand out for me.

puntofan01 said:

A lot of those things could've happened on any car, you were just unlucky with that particular example. With regards to the front end design, it's identical to the Corsa, (a friend of mine has a 2007 Corsa, and apart from the engine, you wouldn't know what car you were looking under the bonnet of) so that criticism must be aimed at GM, not just Fiat.

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No I was not unlucky myself. Have a read through the GP section and see how many unlucky other owners are around.

The Corsa and the GP are different under the bonnet. The Corsa has a much better design around the scuttle area.

JimbbobW1977 said:

No I was not unlucky myself. Have a read through the GP section and see how many unlucky other owners are around.

The Corsa and the GP are different under the bonnet. The Corsa has a much better design around the scuttle area.

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Seemed exactly the same when I looked at my mates Corsa.

JimbbobW1977 said:

No I was not unlucky myself. Have a read through the GP section and see how many unlucky other owners are around.

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Of course the Punto is not perfect, and it has issues. I understand some, other are due because it's an RHD car (no rust issue on LHD servo cars) and for other I did not understand/agree.

But don't believe a Fiesta or a Polo is better, I had the Fiesta mk6 and read the forum www.fiestast.fr (it's french language) :
why almost all had the waterpump leaking between 20'000-60'000 km ? (I had this)
why the AC condenser leak at a rivet for many members ? (my case)
why suspension spring broke before 5 years on many cars ? (my case)
why gearbox break for several members ?
why clutch bearing is dead for several members ?
and so on...

You have a car, and not a perfect car. Sorry you had too many issues, but it's not the case for all people. And no car have no issue over time..

If you love it, buy a Fiesta, keep it 5 years and after post here

Mkala said:

Of course the Punto is not perfect, and it has issues. I understand some, other are due because it's an RHD car (no rust issue on LHD servo cars) and for other I did not understand/agree.

But don't believe a Fiesta or a Polo is better, I had the Fiesta mk6 and read the forum www.fiestast.fr (it's french language) :
why almost all had the waterpump leaking between 20'000-60'000 km ? (I had this)
why the AC condenser leak at a rivet for many members ? (my case)
why suspension spring broke before 5 years on many cars ? (my case)
why gearbox break for several members ?
why clutch bearing is dead for several members ?
and so on...

You have a car, and not a perfect car. Sorry you had too many issues, but it's not the case for all people. And no car have no issue over time..

If you love it, buy a Fiesta, keep it 5 years and after post here

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I own a Focus MK3 Diesel Estate now. No faults at all in 20 000 miles so far.

However, it is a different class to the Punto.

The Fiesta is a car that is always dependant on spec. The basic ones are very basic. I remember an early one of the current model was not overly pleasant.

Ford have great car too, I'm not bigot

It's just to say Punto is a great car too, and even if some people have some issues, it's not the only car to be concerned.

Mkala said:

Ford have great car too, I'm not bigot

It's just to say Punto is a great car too, and even if some people have some issues, it's not the only car to be concerned.

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I'd wanted a Grande Punto ever since I 1st saw the pictures of 1 in a top gear magazine, and I never expected to get 1 as nice as I have, and its safe to say it doesn't disappoint, lol!!

Well you pay for what you get and to say your fiat had loads of issues what car doesnt, being a fiat ford vw or vauxhall you just get the pick of the draw even if its was a friday afternoon car.

and i dont go on my mate said this about that or that about this go from your personal experinces and the vw i bought from new back in 2008 was an absolute joke, spent more time in the dealership so german engineering id think twice. im on my second fiat punto now and safe to say no problems what so ever, and the italians do what the do best style....

and to say the punto is out of date, so is the fiesta, corsa and polo same old same, but yet the still build them, your reading magazines where the drive around in £50,000 cars plus as there run around, so of course there going to slag a £12,000 motor off. they keep reffering to 1970's and 80's build issues. its like a skoda now owned by vw and the skoda badge still turns faces no matter how you improve or change.

89james said:

Well you pay for what you get and to say your fiat had loads of issues what car doesnt, being a fiat ford vw or vauxhall you just get the pick of the draw even if its was a friday afternoon car.

and i dont go on my mate said this about that or that about this go from your personal experinces and the vw i bought from new back in 2008 was an absolute joke, spent more time in the dealership so german engineering id think twice. im on my second fiat punto now and safe to say no problems what so ever, and the italians do what the do best style....

and to say the punto is out of date, so is the fiesta, corsa and polo same old same, but yet the still build them, your reading magazines where the drive around in £50,000 cars plus as there run around, so of course there going to slag a £12,000 motor off. they keep reffering to 1970's and 80's build issues. its like a skoda now owned by vw and the skoda badge still turns faces no matter how you improve or change.

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True styles ages gracefully.